National Council of Churches in Australia

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) is an ecumenical organisation bringing together a number of Australia's Christian churches in dialogue and practical cooperation.

National Council of Churches in Australia
Founded1994
Websitencca.org.au

The NCCA works in collaboration with state ecumenical councils around Australia. It is an associate council of the World Council of Churches, a member of the Christian Conference of Asia and a partner of other national ecumenical bodies throughout the world. "Act for Peace" is the international aid agency of the NCCA, which aims to empower war-torn communities to protect refugees, reduce poverty, prevent conflicts and manage disasters.[1]

Background

The modern ecumenical movement began to take shape at the end of the 19th century. Initiatives among students and between church mission agencies led the way. In Australia these included the Australian Student Christian Movement, formed in 1896, and the National Missionary Council, created in 1926.

Organised ecumenism in Australia at the national church level was first formalised through the Australian Committee for the World Council of Churches (1946). This movement initially involved only the Anglican and Mainline Protestant churches. In the 1960s and '70s, however, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches joined the ecumenical movement. This developed into the Australian Council of Churches (ACC). Following the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church in Australia began exploring possibilities for relationships with other churches. In 1994 the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) succeeded the ACC, with the Catholic Church as a member.

The symbol of the boat has long been used to represent the ecumenical movement, and its origins are unclear - perhaps in the Gospel story of the calling of the Galilean fishermen to be disciples - "fishers of men". The boat represents the Christian Church as a ship sailing the sea that is the world. The mast, in the shape of the cross, recalls the Christian faith.

The NCCA's version of the boat includes waves and the Southern Cross and was adopted at the formation of the NCCA in 1994. The use of the Southern Cross identifies the NCCA's geographical location.

An updated version of the logo, pictured above, was adopted in 2006.

Member churches

The NCCA currently comprises 18 member churches:

Member ChurchHead of Church
Anglican Church of AustraliaArchbishop Philip Freier
Antiochian Orthodox ChurchArchbishop Basilios Kodseie
Armenian Apostolic ChurchArchbishop Haigazoun Najarian
Assyrian Church of the EastArchbishop Mar Meelis Zaia
Chinese Methodist Church in AustraliaBishop Dr Albert Wong
Churches of Christ in AustraliaRev John Gilmore
Congregational Federation of AustraliaMiriama Laumea
Coptic Orthodox ChurchBishop Daniel and Fr Gergis Elantony
Greek Orthodox ChurchArchbishop Markarios Griniezakis
Indian Orthodox ChurchBishop Yuhanon Mar Diascoros
Lutheran Church of AustraliaBishop John Henderson
Mar Thoma ChurchBishop Joseph Mar Barnabas
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)Ann Zubrick
Roman Catholic ChurchArchbishop Mark Coleridge
Romanian Orthodox ChurchBishop Mihail (Filimon)
Syriac Orthodox ChurchArchbishop Mor Malatius Malki Malki
The Salvation ArmyCommissioner Robert Donaldson
Uniting Church in AustraliaDr Deidre Palmer

Presidents

YearNameDenomination
2016–presentBishop Philip HugginsAnglican Church
2013–2016The Revd Mike SemmlerLutheran Church of Australia
2009 - 2013Bishop Michael PutneyRoman Catholic Church
2006 - 2009Bishop Richard ApplebyAnglican Church
2003 - 2006The Revd James HaireUniting Church in Australia
1999 - 2001The Revd Lance SteickeLutheran Church
1997 - 1999Archbishop John BathersbyRoman Catholic Church
1994 - 1997Archbishop Aghan BaliozianArmenian Apostolic Church

General secretaries

Year Name
2020–present Liz Stone
2015–2018 Sr Elizabeth Delaney sgs
2009 - 2014Tara Curlewis
2001 - 2009John Henderson
1994 - 2001David Gill

Source: National Council of Churches in Australia website[2]

See also

References

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